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Thread: Kenmore dryer: how long should heat cycle?

  1. April 7th, 2006, 06:38 PM #1
    ffspiel
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    Default Kenmore dryer: how long should heat cycle?

    Hi,

    This is my first log. Thanks for being there. I have a dilemma. I own a Kenmore dryer (87984800) that is about 12 years old. It's been a good workhorse and up until about the last 2-3 months, has been able to dry a large load within its alloted time (70mins.). It now takes two cycles to do this.

    The dryer appears to be working well??!! The basket (?) turns. The blower blows pretty well. The igniter primes, the burner burns for about 10-14 seconds. The burner shuts off and the cycle resumes in 1 minute. This continues as such throughout the timed cycle.

    What I've done thus far:
    - I've checked and cleaned the vent tube discharge receiver in the wall, air flow seems to be no problem.
    - I've checked the vent tube discharge hole to where it goes to the front of the dryer; it's been vac'ed and is clear.
    -I've taken off the front and checked the blower fan; it's intact and the blower works.
    -I've vac'ed the lint screen receptacle down to the blower fan; it's clean.
    -I've changed the two coils atop the burner controler; no change in length of burning time.
    -I've checked the main timer on top of the machine... (it's keeping the right cycle time).

    Here's my questions:

    Q: What is the length of time the burner should be on? (I never noticed in the past, but I guess it's important now to know as this dryer doesn't work well now.... ). My gut feeling is that 10-12 seconds isn't enough time in the cycle to get the effect I'm looking for....
    Q: Could the thermostat be on the fritz?
    Q: What's my next step? (... I'll beat you to it... I cant afford a new dryer as of yet....).

    Thanks in advance for taking the time answering my questions....!!!!
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  2. April 7th, 2006, 06:46 PM #2
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    jmshaffer
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    It sounds to me that your safety thermostat on top of the burner tube is opening up due to a rising flame. If the flame isn't pulled through that tube strongly, fire rises and trips that thermostat. Did you check for a critter guard on the outside vent outside of your house? If you have one, take my advice and remove it. Is your outer duct accessable? If not, you'll have a problem feeling for air flow. Feel air velocity at back of dryer, this should closely match air velocity outside unless your exhaust is too long or restricted. 10 - 14 seconds for a burn time is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too short. A tripping safety t'stat is what I'm assuming.
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  3. April 7th, 2006, 06:53 PM #3
    ffspiel
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    Default Mr. Shaffer..

    Thanks for the reply. The vent is in the wall and goes straight up to the roof. The elbow turn at the bottom of the lint trap on the dryer was filled with lint and debris prior to me cleaning it. Could this have influenced the thermostat safety to go out/break over time? - robert
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  4. April 7th, 2006, 07:40 PM #4
    ffspiel
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    Default Problem fixed...

    I read a few more posts and decided to climb onto my roof to find my roof vent cap about 75% occluded.... I cleaned the vent cap and I think my problem is now solved. Thanks for the replies!! - robert
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  5. April 7th, 2006, 11:56 PM #5
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    jmshaffer
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    I bet your flame stays on longer??? Increased air flow pulls that flame past the thermostat in the burn tube area and won't cut heat in 10 seconds. Glad to hear you're operational again. Good job!
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  6. April 8th, 2006, 09:16 AM #6
    ffspiel
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    Default Thanks!!

    It's a real pleasure to know that there are experts in the field willing to help the common guy out. Thanks for the advise. After thinking about it, the thermostat thing you mentioned really made sense, that prompted me to the top of the roof to check the vent cap.

    Mr. Shaffer, thanks again for the advise... - robert
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